Accounting method and apparatus



Nov. 19 1929. WLBRL N 1,736,339

ACCOUNTING METHODAND APPARATUS Fild Jan. 19, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet l E alzo '66473829/0 i 0/8288?465 II |llil ll ll c I JAB Nov. 19, 1929. w. BRUHN 1,736,339

ACCOUNTING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 1920 g Sheets-*Sheet 2 ML 72/? BRl/IlI/ Patented Nov. 19, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT o ice 7' WALTER BRUHN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO REMINGTON RAND INCL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ACCOUNTING METHOD AND APPARATUS Application filed. January 19, 1920. Serial No. 852,602.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the finding of accounts.

In an accounting apparatus and system, such as described in Letters Patent No. 1,615,806, granted to L. A. Watters et al. J anuary 25, 1927, the account cards are arranged in a tray or trays. Where the numerical or decimal system is used, the tray is arranged to receive one thousand cards, and accordingly, the assembled cards are divided into ten groups of one hundred cards each, each group is divided into divisions or units of ten cards each, and each division or unit comprises ten cards. The tray is divided by partitions into one hundred compartments, each of which contains a unit or division of ten cards.

Arranged below the tray is selecting mechanism, comprising, a series of ten-pairs of selectors, that is, one pair for each ten compartments. These selectors are mounted on a carrier which is arranged for movement along the tray so that each pair of selectors is adapted to be located in alinement with any one of its corresponding ten compartments. The selectors are mounted for vertical movements so as to enter the compartments and an actuator is provided for thus moving these selectors. However, these selectors are normally disconnected from a main actuator, but any desired pair of selectors is arranged to be selectively clutched withthe actuator so as to render a selected pair effective for actuation. Mounted also on the carrier are audit selectors which bridge the main selectors, and these audit selectors are arranged to be interconnected with the main selectors so as to form together selector bars arranged along the tray.

The selector carriers are mounted on a carriage which is expansible transversely so as to adjustably position the carriers transversely to any selected position, and stop mechanism is provided for effecting transverse location of the carriers and the selectors thereon.

The cards are provided along their lower edges with selective characteristics which are variantly positioned along the bottom edges to correspond to the different positions of the cards in a compartment. Accordingly,

the characteristics of corresponding cards in the different compartments occupy corresponding transverse positions so that the characteristics of corresponding cards will be in line longitudinally of the tray. Accord ingly, after the connection of the selected pair of selectors with the actuator, and after positioning of the selector carrier to aline the connected selectors with the desired compartment, the transverse positioning of the selectors will cause the same to be alined with the characteristics of the desired card, so that upon elevation of the connected selectors by the actuator, the desired card Will be raised above the remaining cards in the tray. Also upon interconnection with the main selectors of the audit selectors, the transverse positioning of the carrier and elevation of the now interconnected selectors will cause corresponding cards in each compartment to be elevated. V

In order to permit replacement of a desired card there is provided in the apparatus of the patent referred to a pilot for each compartment; this pilot is elevated upon actuation of the selectors when .set to elevate the desired card in the compartment in which the card is to be replaced, in order that the compartment can be readily found. v Accordingly in the apparatus of said patent, such pilots are necessary in order to permit replacement of a card. Such pilot doesnot, however, fix definitely the location with respect to the remaining cards in the compartment at which the withdrawn card should be replaced, but it only locates the compartment in which it is to be replaced. One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide a method-and apparatus,

whereby the compartment is which the withdrawn card is to be replaced is not only lo cated, but also its position in the compartment is definitely located and ascertained.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus whereby the location of the compartment of a withdrawn card will concurrently elevate the adjacent or next card so as to definitely locate the position where the withdrawn card is to be replaced.

Another object is to provide an account card having characteristics corresponding not only to its own position but also to the position of the next adjacent card.

Further objects will appear from the detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view showing the bottom edges of a unit of cards and the characteristics thereon;

Figure 2 is a similar View showing the cards assembled;

Figure 3 is a transverse section of a tray showing the cards therein and showing also the selectors; and

Figure 4 is a detail longitudinal section of a m h ne shoving mor p tcu sr y the on structon of the tray and oi the selectors.

I e p i sa cn nd claim th card is used in its broadest sense, so as to include ordinary cards, loosedeaves, sheets, or other accounting elements used in the k epi g o u t The t m t ay i a so used in its broadest sense so as to include holder rac a p ed fo the hol in a s ega ng of accoun In the description of the invention refp erence is had to the patentre-ter-red to for a f l and de ail pl nat o f t ma hin or apparatus to which this invention is more particularly applicable, and in these draws ings similar parts are indicated by like reterence characteristics as in said patent.

Referring more particularly to Figures 3 nd it t design es a p o th fr m f t m chin .10 the ease-s ng side v of t ay and 11 the forward end connecting the sides, h e ng a si i r rear end 1, b h of which a c ne t d by the s des Side plates 12 connect the sides and ends so as to form ledges, Arranged inside of the enes ns si es a id walls 13 of h r y Prop vhi h flar up ar y nd a e re to the ledges 12 so as to form therewith rests r supporting e ca s s h ina e scribed, but leave the bottom of the tray open. A rang an ve se y of the y a e a series of strips 15 which are supported on the edges an an a l ngi udinal. trip M nme ting h nds 1. The s rips 15 i this cas ar ext d d upwardly so a t r Part on The st ips 15 a e t oth a shown at 21 so as to form flaring guides for the selectors Sas hereinafter filfiscribed, there being a series of ten flared notches on each side of the median line of the tray. These flared notches, therefore, guide the selectors nto t bott m of t tray,

The e e tors S a moun ed to li e cally on carriers 45, there being two carrier id bar ex end g l ng d nally 0f th v and t se er ide bars r mcun ed. to slide on the carriage side bars 30, each of which has a cross-head 31 mounted for movement transversely of the tray rolling on and be we n r s 3 an 3 he e c rries; s

bars being interconnected so as to move transver 'ely but remain parallel. The carrier side bars are provided with heads 51 connected with shanks 52.

The position of the carriage transversely of the tray is controlled by a series of stops so as to position the selectors in variant po-' sitions transversely of the tray. Moreover the carrier is positioned longitudinally of the tray by a series of variantly positioned stops. The stops are controlled by selective manipulative elements or keys on a key board.

The shanks 52 have each connected therewith but so as to permit rotation with respect thereto, an actuator shaft 63 which is arranged ior rocking movement and supported in and movable with the carrier. This actuator shaft has splined thereon a series of clutches each clutch 65 having a perforated arm or jaw 66 adapted to engage with a lug or tooth 67 on the selector. The clutch is connected with a bell crank lever 9396 mounted on a stationary bracket 91 and connected by a link with an actuator element arranged to be operated by a spring 97 when one of the keys on the key board is actuated.

A retainer 71 holds the clutch in either ongaged or disengaged position. There are a series of these clutches one for each actuator.

Mounted on a side bar 6.0 on a carrier and on which the selectors S are also mounted are a series of audit selectors 62 which bridge the main selectors S and which are connected at their lower ends. Slidably mounted on each side bar 60 is a connecting element 282 which has a number of hooks 283 arranged to engage with pins on the selectors S when the element is moved to the right, Figure 4 by the cross bar 280 on arms 279, actuated by the audit key on the key board.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, C designates cards which are arranged in unit ot' ten and are provided with selective characteristics L arranged variantly along the bottom edge of each card, and corresponding respectively in their positions to the positions of the cards in the unit. The selective char acteristics are duplicated on opposite sides of the median line so that a pair is concur.- rently engageable by a pair of selectors.

The parts so far described are shown and described in the patent referred to, to which neath the 20 division of the second group. Upon depression of the tertiary key 2, the carriage 30 will move outwardly so as to move the selectors S outwardly from dotted to full position, Figure 3, so as to aline the selectors with the characteristics L on the 2 card. Thereafter the actuators 63 will elevate the selectors causing them to be guided by the guide notches 21 into engagement with the characteristics L, so as to elevate the card number 122, leaving all of the other cards undisturbed. In accordance with this invention, in addition to the main characteristics L, each card is also provided wit-h supplementary characteristics M. This supplementary characteristic is so arranged that it will correspond in position to the characteristics of the adjacent card, or as in the specific embodiment shown, the card of the next higher memher in the unit. Thus the 2 card will have in addition to its main characteristic, a supplemental characteristic corresponding-in position to the main characterstic of the 1 card. Similarly the 3 card will have in addition to its main characteristic, a supple mentary characteristic corresponding to the 2 card. It is, of course, understood that the supplementary characterstic as well as the main characteristic is duplicated on opposite sides of the median line of the card. It will also be noted that the supplemental characteristic has a vertical depth or extent less than the main characteristic, that is. it is shorter and provides a space vertically between the bottom edge of the main characteristic and the bottom edge of the supplementary characteristic. I

It will, therefore be seen that when the selectors are alinedwith the main characteristics on any given card, such as card 122, they will also aline with the supplementary characteristics on the next succeeding card, namely 123. Accordingly when the selectors are elevated, they will not only engage the main characteristics on card 122, but also the supplementary characteristics on card 123, and accordingly both of these cards will be elevated. In view of the fact that the supplementary characteristicsare shorter or of less extent than the main characteristics, there is a lost motion between the selectors and the supplementary characteristics after the main characteristics are engaged. Accordingly, while both cards are'raised, the desired card 122 is raised full height, while the next succeeding card 123 is only raised partially. Accordingly, upon complete isolation, the desired card 122 will project beyond the next succeeding card 123 as fully shown in Figure 3. The face of the card 122 will, therefore be fully shown, while the succeeding card 123 will be invisible. The desired card 122 can, however, readily be picked out on account of its projection beyond the next succeeding card, 123.

The invention is of great utility in a card position is immediately in front of the partial-' ly isolated card, which is partially raised when the number of the desired card is set up on the key board. Accordingly, the cards can be kept in numerical order, even in a compartment, without any additional labor or expense.

The invention is also of utility in the auditing of accounts. Then auditing an account, the audit selectors 62 are interconnected with the main selectors S by movement to the right of the bars 282 upon depression of the audit key. When, therefore, after depression of the audit key, any given key, such as 2 is depressed thereby causing the main and audit selectors to be positioned opposite the selective characteristics on all cards ending in 2, upon elevation of the main and audit selectors all cards ending in 2 will be elevated, that is, all corresponding accounts will be located and isolated, as described in the patent referred to. This will, however, cause location and isolation of all accounts next to and succeeding those corresponding accounts. Now if any card is missing its number will be definitely indicated by the partial elevation of the next succeedingcard in the division of the misplaced or lost card, and the finding thereof and its replacement in proper position is facilitated.

It will moreover be noted that this inven tion entirely dispenses with the necessity of pilots. 1

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the details without departing from the spirit of this invention; it is, therefore, to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described. v V 1 Having thus described thisinvention what is claimed is:

1. The method of finding accounts mechanically, comprising, locating the desired account and dependently the one next thereto;

2. The method of finding accounts me chanically, comprising, locating the desired account and dependently the succeeding account. w

3. The method of finiding accounts mechanically, comprising locating and isolating the desired account and dependently the one next thereto. V

4. The 'methodoffinding accounts me v chemically, compris ng, ocating: he d sired.

. thatv unit,

7. The method of finding accounts 1nechanically, comprising, locating and isolating in a unit division of accounts a desired account together and dependently with another account in that unit.

8. The method of finding accounts me-. ohanically, comprising,locating the unit di vision of accounts containingthe desired account, and; locating in that unitthe desired account together and dependently with an other account in that unit.

9. The method of finding accounts mechanically, comprising, locating the unit division of accounts containing the desired ac count, and locating and isolating in that unit the desired account together and dependently with another account in that unit.

10. The method of finding accounts mechemically, comprising, locating the unit division of accounts containingthoj desired account, and locating in that-unit the desired account together and dependently with the account next to the desired account.

11. The method of finding accounts mechanically, comprising locating the unit division of accounts containing the desired account, locating in that unit the desired ac? count. together and dependently with another account in that unit, and displacing the located accounts to diflerent extents.

12. The method of finding accounts mechanically, comprising, locating the unit division of accounts containing the desired account, and locating in that unit the desired account together and dependently with the succeeding account.

13. The method of finding accounts nechanically, comprising, locating the unit division of accounts containing the desired account, lo.cating in that unit the desired account together and dependently with the succeeding account, and displacing hoth accounts, the desired account to a greater excount and dependently thev succeeding account.

15. The method of finding accounts me chanically comprising, locating the group containing the desired account, locating in that group the division containing the de; sired account, and locatingand isolating in that division the desired account and depend. ently the succeeding account.

16. The method of finding accounts me chanically, comprising, locating the group containing the desired account, locating in that group the division containing the desired account, locating in that divison the de-. sired account and dependently the succeeding account, and displacing both accounts, the de-l sired account to a lifiierent extent than the succeeding one.

17. The method of auditing accounts me. chanically, comprising, locating correspond= ing accounts in each group of a series, and do: pendently accounts next to the corresponding accounts.

18. The method of auditing accounts mechanically, comprising, locating correspond ing accounts in each group of a series, and de-. pendently accounts next to the corresponding accounts, and isolating both accounts.

19. The method of auditing accounts me: chanically, comprising, locating correspond-. ing accounts in each group of a series, and de-. pendently accounts next to the correspond: ing accounts, and isaloting the latter accounts.

20. An account card having selcctorzcoacts able characteristics adapted upon cooperation therewith of selector means to cause displaces ments to different extents.

21. An account card having main and supplementary seleotoncoactable characteristics, the main characteristic being adapted to Cause displacement to a greater extent than the sup plementary characteristic.

22. An account card having main and sup-.

plementary selectorcoactahle characteristics, the main characteristic being of a difierent size from the supplementary characteristic. 23. A unit division of account cards, each card of Which has a selectorfcoactahle char-. acteristic which defines its position in the unit and another selector-coactahle characteristic which corresponds in position to the firstinentioned characteristic of another card in the unit.

24. A unit division of account cards, each card of which has a selector-.coactable characteristic which defines its position in the unit and another selector-coactable characteristic which corresponds in position to the firstmentionedcharacteristic of the next card in the unit.

25. A unit division of account cards, each card of which has different selector-coactable characteristics, one of which defines the position of that card in the unit and the other of which corresponds in position to the first mentioned characteristic of another card in the unit.

26. A unit division of account cards, each card of which has selector-coactable characteristics of different proportions, the one of greater proportion defining the position of that card in the unit and the one of lesser proportion corresponding in position to the first mentioned characteristic of the next card.

27. A unit division of account cards, each card of which has selector-coactable characteristics comprising, a main characteristic and a supplementary characteristic corresponding in position to the main characteristic of another card in that unit.

28. A unit division of account cards, each card of which has selector-coactable characteristic comprising, a main characteristic and a supplementary characteristic corresponding in position to the main characteristic of the next card in that unit.

29. A unit division of account cards, each card of which has selector-coactable characteristics comprising, a main characteristic and a supplementary characteristic of less extent than the main characteristic but corresponding in its position to the main characteristic of the next card in that unit.

30. A unit division of account cards, each card of which has selector-coactable characteristics of different extents comprising, a main characteristic and a supplementary characteristic corresponding in its position to the main characteristic of another card in that unit.

31. In a card finding and separating device, means for holding a plurality of cards in upright positions, a pair of card-lifting members for engaging and lifting each card, and means provided on each card wherebv when a card is lifted by said lifting members the next adjacent card of higher denomination is also lifted.

32. In a card moving and separating device, a receptacle containing a plurality of cards, each bearing a pair of depending projections, a pair of card-moving members adapted to transverse travel beneath said cards for engagement with the pair of projections of any of said cards, and means provided on each of said cards whereby when any one of said cards is elevated by said cardmoving members, the next card in order adjacent the card being moved is elevated at one end thereof.

33. In a card finding and separating device, means for holding a plurality of cards in upright positions, a pair of card-lifting members for engaging and lifting each card, and means provided on each card whereby when a card is lifted by said lifting members the next adjacent card of higher denomination is lifted therewith at one end.

34. An accounting apparatus, comprising, a tray having account cards therein, and selecting means arranged to select predetermined cards, said cards having selective characteristics for cooperation with said selecting means for locating a desired card and an ad j acent card.

35. An accounting apparatus, comprising, a tray having account cards therein, and select-ing means arranged to select predetermined cards, said cards having selective characteristics for cooperation with said selecting means for locating a card next to the desired card, said selecting means and said characteristics cooperating for obtaining the displacement of the located cards.

36. An accounting apparatus, comprising, a tray having account cards therein, selecting means arranged to select predetermined cards, said cards having selective characteristics for cooperation with said selecting means for locating a desired card and another card next thereto, said selecting means and said characteristics cooperating for obtaining displacement of the located cards.

37 An accounting apparatus, comprising,

a tray having account cards therein, selecting means arranged to select predetermined cards, said cards having selective characteristics for cooperation with said selecting means for locating a desired card and another card next thereto and for displacing both cards, the desired card to a greater extent than the next card.

38. An accounting apparatus, comprising, a tray having account cards, and selecting means arranged to select predetermined cards, said cards having selective characteristics for cooperation with said selecting means for locating the positions of desired cards and the cards next thereto and displace the cards next to the positions of said desired cards.

39. An accounting apparatus, comprising, a tray having account cards, selecting means arranged. to select predetermined cards, said cards having selective characteristics for cooperation with said selecting means for 10- cating desired cards and the cards next thereto and for partially projecting the located cards from the tray, the desired cards to different extents than the cards next thereto.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature this 7th day of November, 1919.

WALTER BRUI-IN. 

